Originally by Ranker FilmList RulesVote up the black and African-American actresses, living or passed, with the most consistent top acting performances.
This list ranks the very best black and African Americans actresses of all time. Throughout the history of Hollywood, movies have featured talented African American actresses and black actresses from all over the world. These great black actresses have starred in every genre of film from musicals, to dramas to comedies. Some of these black actresses have even won Academy Awards for their work.
Who are some of the greatest African American actresses? Halle Berry made our list. She has starred in memorable movies like Jungle Fever and Monster's Ball. Kerry Washington also appears on this list of the top black actresses. Though she is best known for her work on TV's Scandal, Washington has starred in such movies as Django Unchained and Lakeview Terrace.
Whoopi Goldberg won an Oscar for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her performance in Ghost. She was also nominated for her role in Steven Spielberg's The Color Purple. Jackie Brown actress Pam Grier also made this list, as did the striking Think Like a Man beauty, Meagan Good.
Who do you think is the best African American actress in the history of film? Did we include all of your favorite black actresses on this list? Vote on this list and share your thoughts in the comments section.1
1,925664Angela Bassett
Age: 62Birthplace: Harlem, New York City, New York, USA
Angela Evelyn Bassett (born August 16, 1958) is an American actress and activist known for her... more
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1,960582Viola Davis
Age: 50Birthplace: USA, South Carolina, St. Matthews
Viola Davis (born August 11, 1965) is an American actress and producer. Having won an Academy... more3
1,978750Halle Berry
Age: 54Birthplace: Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
Halle Maria Berry (born Maria Halle Berry; August 14, 1966) is an American actress. Berry won... more4
1,447530Kerry Washington
Age: 43Birthplace: New York City, New York, United States of America
Kerry Marisa Washington (born January 31, 1977) is an American actress, producer, and... more5
1,762655Taraji P. Henson
Age: 45Birthplace: Washington, D.C., United States of America
Taraji Penda Henson ( tə-RAH-jee; born September 11, 1970) is an American actress and author.... more6
1,389315Zoe Saldana
Age: 42Birthplace: Passaic, New Jersey, United States of America
Zoë Yadira Saldaña Nazario is an American actress. Following her performances with the theater... more7
1,111193Thandie Newton
Age: 43Birthplace: London, United Kingdom
Melanie Thandie Newton (; born 6 November 1972) is a British actress, who has appeared in... more8
1,261490Regina King
Age: 49Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, United States of America
Regina Rene King (born January 15, 1971) is an American actress and director. She is the... more9
1,271499Cicely Tyson
Age: 86Birthplace: Harlem, New York City, New York, United States of America
Cicely L. Tyson (December 19, 1924 – January 28, 2021) was an American actress and former... more10
686260Dorothy Dandridge
Age: Died at 43 (1922-1965)Birthplace: Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Dorothy Jean Dandridge (November 9, 1922 – September 8, 1965) was an American film and theatre... more11
1,027353Regina Hall
Age: 49Birthplace: Washington, D.C., United States of America
Regina Lee Hall (born December 12, 1970) is an American actress and comedian. She is best... more12
1,244367Lupita Nyong'o
Age: 37Lupita Nyong'o (born March 1, 1983) is a Mexican-Kenyan actress and film director. She was... more13
1,159480Octavia Spencer
Age: 45Birthplace: Montgomery, Alabama
Octavia Lenora Spencer (born May 25, 1972) is an American actress, author, and producer. She... more14
1,295598Gabrielle Union
Age: 47Birthplace: Omaha, Nebraska, United States of America
Gabrielle Monique Union-Wade (born October 29, 1972) is an American actress, activist, and... more15
967411Alfre Woodard
Age: 63Birthplace: Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States of America
Alfre Woodard (; born November 8, 1952) is an American actress, producer, and political... more16
742323Vanessa Williams
Age: 57Birthplace: Millwood, New York, United States of America
Vanessa Lynn Williams (born March 18, 1963) is an American singer, actress, and fashion... more17
835371Meagan Good
Age: 39Birthplace: Panorama City, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
Meagan Monique Good (born August 8, 1981) is an American actress. Beginning her career as a... more18
1,211497Nia Long
Age: 45Birthplace: New York City, New York, USA
Nia Talita Long (born October 30, 1970) is an American actress. She is known for her roles in... more19
717333Vivica A. Fox
Age: 56Birthplace: South Bend, Indiana, United States of America
Vivica Anjanetta Fox (born July 30, 1964) is an American actress, producer and television... more20
1,194579Queen Latifah
Age: 45Birthplace: Newark, New Jersey, United States of America
Dana Elaine Owens (born March 18, 1970), known professionally as Queen Latifah, is an American... more21
609280Ruby Dee
Age: Died at 92 (1922-2014)Birthplace: Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Ruby Dee (born Ruby Ann Wallace, October 27, 1922 – June 11, 2014) was an American actress,... more22
844263Sanaa Lathan
Age: 49Birthplace: New York City, New York, United States of America
Sanaa McCoy Lathan (born September 19, 1971) is an American actress. As a voice actress, from... more23
901380Jada Pinkett Smith
Age: 49Birthplace: Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
Jada Pinkett Smith (born September 18, 1971) is an American actress, comedian,... more24
1,034533Rosario Dawson
Age: 41Birthplace: New York City, New York, United States of America
Rosario Isabel Dawson (born May 9, 1979) is an American actress, producer, singer, comic book... more25
342103Lena Horne
Age: Died at 93 (1917-2010)Birthplace: Bedford-Stuyvesant, New York City, New York, USA
Lena Mary Calhoun Horne (June 30, 1917 – May 9, 2010) was an American singer, dancer, actress,... more
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